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Journey to redemption well underway for Maple Leafs: DiManno

The gloaming of a franchise in utter eclipse has been replaced by a glimmering of future potential.

The Leafs cleaned out their lockers Sunday as the team's off-season begins. This team was lost and listing at this point a year ago; but under new leadership there's a new sense of hope and optimism. (Rene Johnston / Toronto Star) | Order this photo

Sunday Bloody Sunday: Brendan Shanahan fired just about everybody who had a hand in the shambles that the Toronto Maple Leaf franchise had become — GM, interim coach, entire scouting staff.

A taste of ashes: Players who clearly didn’t want to be here, who both literally and figuratively had given fans the finger by refusing to raise their sticks to the Air Canada Centre crowd; a captain who denied malicious intent, lying through his teeth.

Raining Leaf jerseys: Lost count of how many times that sweater was tossed onto the ice in frustration and contempt.

“We knew it wasn’t the franchise they hated,” an executive tells the Star. “They were fed up with some of the players. They were fed up with the lack of effort.”

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A year later, the malignancies are gone. Key Leafs — components of the failed Brian Burke era — were jettisoned. Salary cap space opened up. A marquee coach has the ear and respect of his players.

The gloaming of a franchise in utter eclipse has been replaced by a glimmering of future potential — kids summoned from the Marlies after the trade deadline, still projects in progress but injecting youth and energy to the body politic, untainted by a haunting past.

An identifiable work ethic and collective positivity, as if brighter days are just over the horizon. Probably not next season but the virtue of patience has been embraced.

“Buy-in, I think,” said Shanahan on Sunday, when asked about the most significant takeaway for a last-place club that has missed the playoffs for the 10th time in 11 years.

“It’s one thing to say you’re going to do everything the coach asks of you and it’s another thing to do it. People said last year that we wouldn’t be able to find a coach or a general manager of any substance that would enter into a situation where the management team’s been built somewhat. We were hopeful, somewhat confident, that we could.”

“To me, that’s the big thing. That the ship is at least turned in the right direction,’’ said Shanahan.

Like turning the Queen Mary, maybe. But not the Titanic.

Make no mistake: There’s nothing inherently uplifting about sinking to the very bottom of the NHL, beyond marginally improved odds of grabbing the No. 1 draft position. At worst, No. 4 — but there’s a huge drop-off from Auston Matthews, the brace of behemoth Finns expected to be taken second and third, and then whoever looks fetching at fourth. Internally, the Leafs have designated centre and a potential top-four defenceman as their most urgent needs, though these could be addressed through free agency and trades. And they still don’t have a franchise stud, even in embryonic form. (Corporately, they appear to have cooled to the allure of Steven Stamkos.)

Yet the tone around the Leafs is unmistakably optimistic, albeit dappled with poignant regret for a coach who hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2003-2004, the only time in his NHL career Babcock was on the post-season outside looking in.

“I’m no different than the fans,” the bench boss admits. “I want to have success as fast as we can. So do the players. But it doesn’t happen overnight. Just look at all these franchises that . . . go to the media at this time and tell them how great next year is going to be. Then next year never comes.’’

It will come for Toronto, Babcock stresses.

“What makes you believe me? The answer is simply: It’s just going to happen. Now, I don’t know if it’s soon enough for all of us, so that’s the impatient part. But we’ll be fine.”

It was leave-taking time on Sunday, locker cleanouts and farewells and exit interviews and, affectingly, a team photo.

Yet Brooks Laich, the classy veteran obtained in a deadline trade who doesn’t know whether his contract will be bought out this summer of if he’ll be retained as the rebuild continues, woke up Sunday morning and his first thought was: “Wow, I’m really lucky to be a part of this. Lucky to have so many good young talented kids mixed with good vets mixed with an outstanding front office and coaching staff that’s going to mold us into a team in a hurry.’’

So it felt completely divergent, this parting of ways for the summer, than the gloominess of a year ago.

“It’s funny,” noted James van Riemsdyk, whose season was gutted by a foot fracture. “I think we finished lower this year than we did those last two years but the mood around everything is way different. The way we’re trying to build things here, I think it’s just a matter of time until we start having more success in the standings. We can all feel that as players.”

Jake Gardiner: “It’s a way better feeling. Last year it was, here comes summer again and not sure what to expect. This summer . . . guys are very committed and it’s a positive thing, looking forward.’’

Tyler Bozak, survivor of the Old Gang but an asset that may be moved in the off-season: “I’m sure there will be changes this summer. Who knows if it will be me? I’ll be excited to be back here, if I am.”

Nazem Kadri, a restricted free agent who finally blossomed under Babcock’s tutelage, though suspension-absent the last four games for an illegal hit to the head: “You need to have these kinds of seasons to be successful. You need to fall and fail before you cross the finish line. It’s important for our group, especially our young guys, to understand this feeling. It’s not a good feeling by any means.’’

And Morgan Rielly, just turned 22 but a workhorse transitioning into leader, showing his bona fides as perchance a future captain, developing into a backbone D-man: “I think I’m getting there. This year I was given a lot of opportunity and I’m definitely very appreciative of that. That being said, there’s moments where you might find some confidence. But this game will find a way to come back and keep your grounded. I have a long way to go.’’

So do the Leafs. Miles to go.

“What I would tell you is we’re miles ahead of where we were,” said Babcock.

“Where we were to where we are is a million miles. But that journey has begun.”

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